Wannstedt Gives Gadsden Starting Job

July 26, 2002|By Alex Marvez Staff Writer

DAVIE — Wide receiver Oronde Gadsden need no longer worry about whether he will remain a member of the Dolphins' first-team offense.

Dolphins coach Dave Wannstedt said Thursday that Gadsden would open training camp as a starter opposite Chris Chambers, who is being elevated to replace James McKnight after a sensational rookie season.

"I think if we're honest and fair with ourselves, we go into training camp with Oronde," Wannstedt said. "He deserves to be the starter along with Chris."

Gadsden has started 49 of a possible 64 regular-season games since signing with the Dolphins in 1998.

But in June, the Dolphins were unwilling to say whether Gadsden or McKnight would be moving to a backup role with Chambers getting promoted after compiling a team-high 883 receiving yards and seven touchdowns last season.

Gadsden and McKnight had almost identical statistics last season, with each catching 55 passes and scoring three touchdowns. McKnight finished with 684 yards, 10 more than Gadsden.

McKnight, though, struggled with consistency and finished tied for second on the team in fumbles with three.

Wannstedt said he is encouraged with his receiving corps after four offseason camps.

"I think James McKnight and Dedric Ward are going to have outstanding years," Wannstedt said. "And you can never sell Jeff Ogden short. We've got a nice group there. That's as strong a group as we have on the team."

Addressing other personnel issues, Wannstedt said:

Jed Weaver will open training camp as the starting tight end, replacing the departed Hunter Goodwin, who signed with Minnesota. Weaver, who led Dolphins tight ends with 18 receptions in 2001, will receive his stiffest competition from Alonzo Mayes and rookie Randy McMichael.

The starting left defensive end position remains open after Friday's release of Daryl Gardener. Recently acquired end Jay Williams is the front-runner, but the Dolphins will work Rob Burnett, David Bowens and Adewale Ogunleye at the position during camp to determine a rotation.

Wannstedt said he wants to ideally play Burnett in a similar fashion to former Dolphins end Trace Armstrong, who was brought off the bench in passing situations.

Wannstedt hopes to use Burnett, a 12-year NFL veteran signed in June, for roughly 20 plays every game.

There will be no change in the starting offensive line (tackles Brent Smith and Todd Wade, guards Mark Dixon and Todd Perry and center Tim Ruddy) entering camp. But the unit will be monitored closely the first week of camp, and changes could be made following next weekend's joint practices with the Tennessee Titans in Nashville.

Guards Jamie Nails and Leon Searcy were making strong pushes in offseason camps to crack the starting lineup, which could trigger other changes along the line.

The Dolphins open camp today for rookies, selected veterans and players coming off injuries from last season.

Among the veterans expected to attend are Chambers, Ward, quarterback Ray Lucas and fullback Rob Konrad.

Lucas will be running the first-team offense with quarterback Jay Fiedler limited the first week of camp while recovering from arthroscopic hip surgery earlier this month.

The rest of the team will report Sunday, with the first full-squad workout at 9 a.m. Monday.